Fruitland extending its reach

Baptist college has new online degree, satellite campuses

Students work in a computer lab at Fruitland Baptist Bible College. The college now has a new name, two new satellite locations and new online degree program.

PATRICK SULLIVAN/TIMES-NEWS

By Beth Beasley De BonaTimes-News correspondent

Published: Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 18, 2014 at 3:36 p.m.

With a new name that better fits the school, two new satellite locations and a new online degree program, Fruitland Baptist Bible College is poised to meet its goal of equipping Christian leaders for the 21st century.

Known before November as Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, the college is where 20 to 25 percent of the Baptist pastors in the Carolinas received their first undergraduate degree.

“It's a good, Bible-based education with a Christian worldview,” says David Horton, president of Fruitland Baptist Bible College. “It's a great entry-level experience.”

Founded in 1899 by local Baptist associations, the school has offered an associate degree in religion since 1946. This degree is available with an emphasis in church ministries, Christian worldview or church planting.

Two new satellite locations are enhancing the reach of the college, including a location for Hispanic students in Charlotte that opened in early July with an enrollment of 18 students. Established locations for Hispanic students include Statesville and Sylva, with an enrollment of about 30 to 40 total for all.

A new satellite location in Wilkesboro offers an associate degree, just as the location in Monroe has offered for the past four years, Horton says.

An online curriculum has been developed slowly, but starting in October it will be possible to obtain an associate degree through online courses from the college.

While the online degree is not seen as a replacement for the campus experience, it will provide opportunity for study for those who cannot pick up and move to study on site, Horton says. One online student at Fruitland is living in Kenya.

Individual courses are available for the layperson as well, for personal enrichment, for boosting Sunday School lessons and as an aid in other ministries.

“We want to help people know how to engage a secular society in the word of Jesus Christ,” he says.

Horton, who has been president at Fruitland for five years, adds that students are “raving” about the courses, which were established in part due to student demand.

“We want it to be a very interactive experience,” he says.

Horton believes forums and assignments of a different type than in traditional classes can provide interactions that are effective. Additionally, each course will include a 24-hour response time from professors.

Most on-campus students at Fruitland are from the Southeast, with about 75 percent going on to receive a four-year degree at another institution. Between 75 and 80 percent go into a ministry vocation, with the remainder building a career in the secular workforce as teachers, police officers, medical professionals or businesspeople.

“Jesus taught that we are to be the salt and the light in this world,” says Horton, who has 30 years of experience as a pastor. “Sometimes Christians hold back — we want to help students reach out in an appealing kind of way.”

School on the hill

Twin brothers Robert and Chris Hefner graduated from Fruitland in 2001. The men are both on staff at Mud Creek Baptist Church and teach at Fruitland as well.

“Little did I know stepping on the campus of Fruitland for the first time how much of an impact this school on the hill would have on me,” says Robert Hefner, assistant pastor of adult ministries at Mud Creek Baptist Church. “Looking back ... I can honestly say I wouldn't trade the experiences I had or the foundation I received there for anything.”

Robert Hefner received an Ed.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, while his brother Chris holds a Ph.D. in evangelism and church growth from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

“Personally, I'm honored to have a part in the education of students at my alma mater,” says Chris Hefner, pastor of missions and evangelism at Mud Creek Baptist Church. “The 'Fruitland experience,' as we called it when I was a student, is unique and deeply spiritual.”

Robert Hefner began serving as a professor at Fruitland teaching theology of Christ and the Holy Spirit in 2009, a couple of years before his brother started teaching a class in Western civilization.

Thompson is also a Fruitland alumnus serving on the college's faculty.

“While I was (a student) here I realized I had gifts I didn't know I had — I love the school and what it did for me,” says Thompson, who holds a master's and a doctoral degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Thompson teaches ethics and an elective in Greek and Hebrew, as well as online theology classes.

“The opportunity came to teach, initially just one class, and the Lord allowed it to snowball,” Thompson says. “I love to put into students what I received.”

<p>With a new name that better fits the school, two new satellite locations and a new online degree program, Fruitland Baptist Bible College is poised to meet its goal of equipping Christian leaders for the 21st century.</p><p>Known before November as Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, the college is where 20 to 25 percent of the Baptist pastors in the Carolinas received their first undergraduate degree.</p><p>“It's a good, Bible-based education with a Christian worldview,” says David Horton, president of Fruitland Baptist Bible College. “It's a great entry-level experience.”</p><p>Founded in 1899 by local Baptist associations, the school has offered an associate degree in religion since 1946. This degree is available with an emphasis in church ministries, Christian worldview or church planting.</p><p>Two new satellite locations are enhancing the reach of the college, including a location for Hispanic students in Charlotte that opened in early July with an enrollment of 18 students. Established locations for Hispanic students include Statesville and Sylva, with an enrollment of about 30 to 40 total for all.</p><p>A new satellite location in Wilkesboro offers an associate degree, just as the location in Monroe has offered for the past four years, Horton says.</p><p>An online curriculum has been developed slowly, but starting in October it will be possible to obtain an associate degree through online courses from the college.</p><p>“We're excited about it,” says Scott Thompson, vice president for academic affairs. “It's big for us.”</p><p>While the online degree is not seen as a replacement for the campus experience, it will provide opportunity for study for those who cannot pick up and move to study on site, Horton says. One online student at Fruitland is living in Kenya.</p><p>Individual courses are available for the layperson as well, for personal enrichment, for boosting Sunday School lessons and as an aid in other ministries.</p><p>“We want to help people know how to engage a secular society in the word of Jesus Christ,” he says.</p><p>Horton, who has been president at Fruitland for five years, adds that students are “raving” about the courses, which were established in part due to student demand.</p><p>“We want it to be a very interactive experience,” he says.</p><p>Horton believes forums and assignments of a different type than in traditional classes can provide interactions that are effective. Additionally, each course will include a 24-hour response time from professors.</p><p>Most on-campus students at Fruitland are from the Southeast, with about 75 percent going on to receive a four-year degree at another institution. Between 75 and 80 percent go into a ministry vocation, with the remainder building a career in the secular workforce as teachers, police officers, medical professionals or businesspeople.</p><p>“Jesus taught that we are to be the salt and the light in this world,” says Horton, who has 30 years of experience as a pastor. “Sometimes Christians hold back — we want to help students reach out in an appealing kind of way.”</p><h3>School on the hill</h3>
<p>Twin brothers Robert and Chris Hefner graduated from Fruitland in 2001. The men are both on staff at Mud Creek Baptist Church and teach at Fruitland as well.</p><p>“Little did I know stepping on the campus of Fruitland for the first time how much of an impact this school on the hill would have on me,” says Robert Hefner, assistant pastor of adult ministries at Mud Creek Baptist Church. “Looking back ... I can honestly say I wouldn't trade the experiences I had or the foundation I received there for anything.”</p><p>Robert Hefner received an Ed.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, while his brother Chris holds a Ph.D. in evangelism and church growth from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.</p><p>“Personally, I'm honored to have a part in the education of students at my alma mater,” says Chris Hefner, pastor of missions and evangelism at Mud Creek Baptist Church. “The 'Fruitland experience,' as we called it when I was a student, is unique and deeply spiritual.”</p><p>Robert Hefner began serving as a professor at Fruitland teaching theology of Christ and the Holy Spirit in 2009, a couple of years before his brother started teaching a class in Western civilization.</p><p>Thompson is also a Fruitland alumnus serving on the college's faculty.</p><p>“While I was (a student) here I realized I had gifts I didn't know I had — I love the school and what it did for me,” says Thompson, who holds a master's and a doctoral degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.</p><p>Thompson teaches ethics and an elective in Greek and Hebrew, as well as online theology classes.</p><p>“The opportunity came to teach, initially just one class, and the Lord allowed it to snowball,” Thompson says. “I love to put into students what I received.”</p>